Rabindranath Tagore’s statue removed in Purulia; BJP slams Trinamool

Purulia Municipality has removed the statue of Rabindranath Tagore, which had been installed at the entrance of the municipality building in 2021. The statue was part of a platform called "Gitanjali," dedicated to Tagore’s legacy, and was inaugurated by West Bengal Minister Sandhyarani Tudu. The statue had become a local landmark, regularly visited by residents and passersby, who paid their respects to the poet. The removal of the statue has sparked significant debate, particularly regarding the reasoning behind its demolition.

Municipal authorities stated that the statue was removed due to practical concerns about the location obstructing drainage. Nabendu Mahali, Chairman of Purulia Municipality, explained, "The statue was respectfully removed. The drain was getting blocked by the statue, so it was broken. It will be respectfully relocated to another site." However, no specific details about the new location for the statue have been provided, and the move has raised questions about the lack of prior consultation with local residents and community members.

The incident has provoked public outcry, with many questioning the need to remove the statue, which had become a symbol of cultural respect. The controversy also highlights a broader concern about the management and preservation of public monuments. No formal discussion was held with the local community or cultural groups prior to the statue’s removal, leading to further frustration among residents.

In the political arena, the incident has garnered attention. Kajal Mukherjee, president of the Trinamool Congress workers' union in Purulia, criticized the decision, pointing out the lack of discussion or planning regarding the statue's removal. She stated, "The statue was suddenly broken. Why was there no discussion?" On the other hand, Vivek Ranga, district president of the BJP in Purulia, questioned the justification for the statue’s removal, suggesting that the claim about drainage obstruction was insufficient and calling for transparency regarding the decision-making process.

The removal of the statue coincides with a separate controversy in Durgapur, where the statue of Kazi Nazrul Islam was covered by political banners. The banners, which belonged to deceased CPM leaders Buddhadev Bhattacharya and Sitaram Yechury, were placed over the statue during a CPM area committee meeting. This incident led to condemnation from both the Trinamool Congress and the BJP. Biprendu Chakraborty, a former CPM MLA, defended the act, stating that the connection between Nazrul and the red flag was inseparable and that the two should not be seen in opposition. These incidents have added fuel to ongoing discussions about the preservation of cultural symbols in Bengal.